Patriots' Gronkowski takes another step forward

Tight end Rob Gronkowski participates in team drills for the first time this summer.

Glen Farley The Enterprise @GFarley_ent

FOXBORO – Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski back together again.

It was just like old times.

“It’s definitely huge to get going and be on the same page as the quarterback … not just the quarterback (but with everyone else),” Gronkowski said following Monday’s training camp practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium. “You want to be on the same page as the wide receivers, be on different levels on the routes. Just all on the same page as the offense as a whole.

“I’ve been working with Tom since I’ve been out here, but we haven’t been doing it vs. the defense or anything. So it was good to be right out there and, boom, just like we’d never missed before and he hit me. I think we got a couple of passes thrown to me for catches and in 11-on-11 so that was good.”

The day was indeed good for Gronkowski, the first time he’d participated in team drills (and taken light contact) since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the third quarter of the Patriots’ 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium last Dec. 8.

It was the latest step forward for Gronkowski in his bid to appear in all 16 of the Patriots’ regular-season games, something he hasn’t accomplished since 2011, the first of his two Pro Bowl campaigns with the team.

“I’m still operating off the same plan (to play in every game),” Gronkowski said.

Gronkowski would not reveal a timetable in his plan to suit up for the Patriots’ regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on Sept. 7, however.

“We’re just all on the same page and we’re all doing a great job with it,” said Gronkowski. “And I’m feeling good out there, getting in shape, catching balls and just preparing myself to the best I can right now.”

The next step, he said, would be in getting “more reps and then blocking, everything like that.

“So (I’ve) just got to keep gradually working into it coming off an injury like that and just get my body ready for when it’s time to go.”

On the receiving end of 226 passes for 3,255 yards and 42 touchdowns in 50 games over his four-year career, Gronkowski did admit to feeling a bit rusty due to his inactivity.

Gronkowski said that played a role in rookie free-agent cornerback Malcolm Butler’s ability to strip him of the ball at one point during Monday’s practice.

“I’ve got to get back used to it,” Gronkowski said. “He made a great play, but on my behalf I’ve got to tuck that ball in and not let him do that.

“So (that’s) just a little rust I’ve got to get knocked off,” he said, “and keep on working every day so things like that don't happen.”

Glen Farley may be reached at gfarley@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GFarley_ent.